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Berlin festival shows Iranian dissident's new film

Published on NewsOK
Modified: February 12, 2013 at 7:09 am •
Published: February 12, 2013

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BERLIN (AP) — A new movie from dissident Iranian director Jafar Panahi, which defies a ban on filmmaking and reflects his frustration at being unable to work officially, makes its debut at the Berlin film festival Tuesday.

Co-director Kamboziya Partovi gestures during the photo call of the film Closed Curtain at the 63rd edition of the Berlinale, International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

"Closed Curtain" is co-directed by Panahi and his fellow Iranian filmmaker and longtime friend, Kamboziya Partovi. Panahi, who has won awards at several major film festivals in the past, was sentenced to house arrest and a 20-year ban on filmmaking in 2010 after being convicted of "making propaganda" against Iran's ruling system.

Partovi presented the movie at the Berlin festival, where it's one of 19 films competing for the top Golden Bear award.

The new film, made by a very small team, is filmed entirely inside an isolated seaside villa, much of the time with the curtains drawn.

The two directors are the lead actors: Partovi playing an increasingly paranoid man trapped in the house as police search the area, and Panahi playing himself as the director of that story.

Scenes with the curtains open were "shot at the very end so we didn't get into trouble," Partovi said.

Festival officials say Panahi is no longer confined to his home but still isn't supposed to make films. The German government says it asked Iran to allow Panahi to travel to Berlin for the premiere; there has been no word on any response.